Why the CDC said this type of respiratory infection in young children is uncommon

The number of respiratory infections known as “walking pneumonia” is rising across the country, worryingly affecting young children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a recent update.

Pneumonia, or acute bronchitis, caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been increasing since late spring, peaked in August and remained high, the CDC said.

Such cases are common this time of year, but the CDC is concerned that the number of cases is increasing in a younger age group.

Infections in school-age children and adolescents are not uncommon, but the increase in children ages 2 to 4 is notable because M. pneumoniae has not historically been recognized as a leading cause of pneumonia in this age group, the CDC said.

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The bacteria are spread by inhaling respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, which often occurs in crowded areas such as schools or nursing homes.

You can help prevent the spread by washing your hands regularly and covering coughs and sneezes, the CDC says.

M. pneumoniae infections are generally mild and usually manifest as a chest cold, but can also present as a less severe pneumonia, often called “walking pneumonia,” according to the CDC.

Typical symptoms include fever, cough and sore throat. According to the CDC, younger children may experience other symptoms, including diarrhea, wheezing or vomiting.

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According to the CDC, most people with a mild M. pneumoniae infection recover on their own without medication. However, more serious cases can be treated with macrolides by healthcare professionals.

The CDC encourages health care providers to consider M. pneumoniae as a possible cause of infection in children hospitalized with pneumonia, to perform laboratory tests for the presence of the bacteria, and to consider swabs of both the throat and nasopharynx to reduce the likelihood of detection to increase.